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The Evolution of GRRO
Green Rural Redevelopment Organization (GRRO) was founded in 2012 with a vision to revitalize Henderson and Vance County, North Carolina. We identified three critical issues that plague our community: poverty, food insecurity, and chronic diseases. GRRO has curated programming and projects that positively impact our community by providing avenues for economic mobility, access to fresh and healthy foods, and support for healthcare providers in efforts to alleviate preventable chronic diseases that plague our rural communities.
About GRRO
avenues of economic development in the face of persistent poverty;
access to fresh, healthy foods for vulnerable members of the community; and
support health providers to reduce certain chronic diseases through access to better, fresh foods.
GRRO The Institute
GRRO The Institute, launched this year, focuses on documenting how nutritious food box delivery impacts the health of individuals in hard-to-reach and rural communities. This initiative is driven by our partnership(s) with local universities, healthcare professionals and hospitals, all of whom are committed to supporting sustainable research addressing the root causes of health disparities and providing solutions. What began as a small farm and micro-farming initiative has now evolved into a full-scale economic driver focused on food driven health outcomes. GRRO’s mission has expanded to tackle broader issues in rural areas, such as preventing chronic diseases linked to diet and lifestyle.
Our Impact
Today, GRRO collaborates with local farmers, businesses, policymakers, and community leaders to build resilient, thriving rural communities and connections. Our efforts highlight how providing nutritious food can be a major driver of both physical and economic health. GRRO has become one of the largest employers in Vance County, with nearly 100 people employed to advance this mission.
Currently, our work spans 15 rural counties, and our reach and impact extend across more than 80% of the state through our sustainable agriculture, health access, workforce development, and food equity partners.
Our program offerings span these 15 counties:
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Beaufort County
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Bertie County
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Edgecombe County
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Franklin County
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Granville County
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Halifax County
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Hertford County
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Martin County
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Nash County
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Northampton County
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Person County
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Pitt County
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Vance County
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Warren County
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Wilson County
Our Centers and Institutes
We are committed to advancing wellness in rural areas through three core pillars: Nutrition, Education, and Health. Supported by independent centers of excellence, all housed at our centralized headquarters in Henderson, North Carolina, these centers work together to enhance wellness across North Carolina communities by focusing on education, physical health and nutrition, and mental and behavioral wellness, including substance use prevention and support.
Through the provision of social assistance and therapeutic services, we strive to be a catalyst for growth, empowering rural communities to thrive and achieve lasting generational wellness.